HOUSTON – The Jack Yates High School community is honoring and mourning alumnus George Floyd ahead of his funeral Tuesday.
Several hundred alumni, former classmates, and members of the Floyd family turned out for a candlelight vigil to honor the former Lion. It was held at Jack Yates Field.
In the sea of crimson and gold -- their school colors -- were more than a dozen of George Floyd's teammates from the 1992 that played for the state championship. Gerald Butler wore number 94 -- standing next to floyd -- number 88 in the team photo.
Butler said he still hasn't been able to watch the video of his friend begging for mercy and taking his last breath on Memorial Day.
“I haven’t watched it nor do I ever want to watch it. Just to hear a friend of mine,” Butler said. “Just going by what people have told me. I’ve heard the beginning of it and I’m like, ‘Oh no cut that off.’”
Floyd was killed in Minneapolis when a white police officer knelt on his neck. His tragic death sparked outrage, protests and riots worldwide with people demanding change and condemning police brutality.
Before Floyd moved to Minneapolis, he was a Houston resident. He grew up in the Third Ward and attended Jack Yates High School
Floyd graduated from Jack Yates High School in 1992, where he helped the football team win the state title. He also played basketball there, La’Torria Lemon, spokeswoman for the funeral home, told CNN on Sunday.